Now, Guan Eng hints of coup within Penang PKR
The squabble between Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and five PKR representatives who did not vote down a motion against the Penang government heats up, with Lim hinting at a coup within Penang PKR.
Five PKR assemblypersons last week abstained from voting on a motion by an Umno assemblyperson calling for transparency in sea reclamation projects.
Still aggravated, Lim now hints of a coup in Penang PKR led by Ong Chin Wen, PKR’s whip in the state legislative assembly.
The CM suggested Ong is eyeing the deputy chief minister post now held by Pantai Jerejak assemblyperson Rashid Hasnon.
“Does Ong want to be the new DCM? Does he want to challenge Rashid for the post? We have not been notified,” said Lim, at the Air Puteh open house Deepavali celebration tonight.
“We only acknowledge Rashid, and this is our stand, as we are very clear about it,” he added.
“We cannot have two tigers on the same mountain - one Rashid, the other Ong. I am with tiger Rashid, not Ong.”
When contacted, Ong declined to comment.
Lim said PKR must clarify the matter because it is confusing the party’s supporters.
The DAP secretary-general added that he is forced to intervene in the state PKR’s “family problems” to stop PKR’s “political games” from jeopardising the state administration.
The motion for more transparency and accountability in dealing with sea reclamation projects was rejected as it failed to get support from at least 21 of the 40 assemblypersons.
Lim earlier told PKR to “carefully assess” the decision of the five assemblypersons as they have given the impression that they stood by Umno by abstaining from the vote.
Besides Ong, they are Norlela Ariffin (PKR-Penanti), Cheah Kah Peng (PKR-Kebun Bunga), T Jayabalan (Batu Uban) and Lee Khai Loon (PKR-Machang Bubuk).
The reps said they voted according to their conscience, while considering the political scenario of the country.
However, Norlela was quoted by The Sun as saying that the assemblypersons were merely following instructions from the party.
Rashid, and two state executive councillors PKR - Abdul Malik Abul Kassim (PKR-Batu Maung) and Dr Afif Bahardin (PKR-Seberang Jaya), and deputy speaker Maktar Shafee (PKR-Sungai Bakap) - voted against the motion.
Speaker Law Choo Kiang (PKR-Bukit Tambour) was not allowed to vote.
Lim was also horrified that Teh Yee Cheu (DAP-Tanjung Bungah) backed the reclamation motion filed by Muhammad Farid Saad (BN-Pulau Betung).
Teh, however, apologised for his “mistake” and said he is willing to be censured.
'It will cost Penang RM1 billion'
The motion also called for complete detailed environmental impact (DEIA) studies to be conducted before reclamation projects are approved, and for projects that do not benefit the people be scrapped.
However, Lim said cancellation of reclamation projects already approved would cost Penang close to RM1 billion.
“They (Umno) want us to be bankrupt; when we are bankrupt, we cannot pay for beneficial programmes for the people, they are bad-hearted,” Lim claimed.
He also refuted allegations by Consumers Association Penang - which he described as supporters of BN - that there was no public feedback before the projects were approved.
“It’s all a lie, DEIA and public feedback are provided by federal laws, and we have to comply,” he added.
Related reports
Penang PKR Youth wants apology from Lim over Umno motion
Penang Umno motion - PKR reps' conscience, or planned revolt?
